A supporting apparatus for supporting insertion of a flexible insertion member into a subject and removal of the insertion member includes a position acquisition unit, an interrelation calculation unit and a determination unit. The position acquisition unit acquires information on displacements at at least two attention points located at positions that are different in the longitudinal direction of the insertion member. The interrelation calculation unit calculates a degree of interrelation of the displacements acquired at the at least two attention points. The determination unit determines a state of the insertion member or a state of a predetermined target portion of the subject, based on the degree of interrelation.

A supporting apparatus for supporting insertion of a flexible insertion member into a subject and removal of the insertion member includes a self-following property evaluation unit and a determination unit. The self-following property evaluation unit evaluates self-following property or lateral movement during insertion of the insertion member. The determination unit which determines a state of the insertion member or the subject, based on the self-following property or the lateral movement.

A supporting apparatus for supporting insertion of a flexible insertion member into a subject and removal of the insertion member includes a tangential direction acquisition unit, a moving direction acquisition unit and a determination unit. The tangential direction acquisition unit acquires a tangential direction at at least one point of a predetermined portion in a longitudinal direction of the insertion member, based on a shape of the insertion member. The moving direction acquisition unit acquires a moving direction of the point. The determination unit determines states of the insertion member and the subject, based on the tangential direction and the moving direction.

Systems and methods are described for providing power transfer between modular intraluminal devices. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a first intraluminal device and a second intraluminal device; the first intraluminal device including a body structure, a sensor, a processor, a data transmitter, and a wireless energy receiver oriented to wirelessly receive energy originating external to the first intraluminal device to power at least one of the sensor, the processor, or the data transmitter; the second intraluminal device including a second body structure, and an energy storage device configured to wirelessly transfer energy stored in the energy storage device to the wireless energy receiver of the first intraluminal device when the first intraluminal device and the second intraluminal device are positioned within a subject.

An endoscopic system includes a left optical system having a first focal position, a right optical system having a second focal position that is different from the first focal position. An image capturing device generates a first image and a second image respectively from images of a subject that are obtained by the left optical system and the right optical system. A display device displays the first image or the second image. A proper image determiner determines the magnitude relationship between the position of the subject in a predetermined area displayed on the display device and at least one threshold value Th is established between the first focal position and the second focal position. A video signal processor switches to the first image or the second image depending on a determined result from the proper image determiner and displays the image on the display device.

A system for measuring cardiovascular data includes an elongate member having a channel, a first expandable member carried by the elongate member and movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state by adjustment initiated externally of a subject, a first sensor disposed on a surface of the elongate member, second and third sensors disposed on a surface of the first expandable, a first optical sensor located at a first location in relation to the distal end of the elongate member and configured for obtaining photoplethsmographic data, and wherein the first expandable member in its expanded state is configured to interface with the subject's larynx for delivery of at least oxygen gas into the respiratory system of the subject, and the second and third sensors are configured to contact tissue in proximity to the larynx when the first expandable member is in its expanded state.

RGB image signals are inputted. A B/G ratio is calculated from the B and G image signals. A G/R ratio is calculated from the G and R image signals. First, second, and third areas are located in a feature space formed by the B/G and G/R ratios. An equal angular magnification process is performed on an angle in a region R1x including a first reference line passing through the second area. An angle expansion process or an angle compression process is performed on an angle in a region R1y located outside the region R1x. An equal radial-coordinate magnification process is performed on a radial coordinate in a region R2x, which includes a second reference line passing through the second area and intersecting the first reference line. A radial-coordinate expansion process or a radial-coordinate compression process is performed on a radial coordinate in a region R2y located outside the region R2x.

An injection device is described including a detection unit that includes an electrode that detects electrical characteristics of a biological tissue, a follow-up mechanism that follows motions of the biological tissue, and a puncture unit capable of puncturing the biological tissue. The injection device is configured to administer a predetermined substance to the biological tissue through a hollow portion defined in the puncture unit. A position of the puncture unit is specified based on a position of the electrode. The follow-up mechanism includes a spiral portion spirally extending around the puncture unit, and being stretchable and compressible along an extending direction of the puncture unit. Electrodes are disposed on an annular distal-end projected plane of the spiral portion, as seen from a distal end side of the puncture unit, along a circumferential direction of the puncture unit.

A system for automated navigation to a target neuron is disclosed. The system comprises a recording electrode including a pipette with a hollow glass tip and a headstage for detecting electrical resistance measurements at the glass tip. The system further comprises an actuator, a light source configured to emit light from the glass tip, an ultrasound transducer for detecting photoacoustic signals in response to the light, a light sensor for detecting optical signals in response to the light, and a processor. The processor iteratively receives the photoacoustic and optical feedback and moves the glass tip via the actuator based on a calculated distance of the target neuron. When the distance at or below a predetermined threshold, the processor maintains the position of the hollow glass tip with respect to the target neuron. Upon successful navigation, the recording electrode may be used to perform single-unit neural recording of the target neuron.

A connected health care system is provided with various devices for tracking and monitoring health statistics and behaviors including oral health, fitness, heart health, bone health, salivary diagnostics, diabetes, and further options that will be explored in the subsequent sections. The connected health care system is comprised of various devices, a data transfer medium (i.e. “smartphone”), and the Cloud, which allows for data transfer between multiple platforms and devices. Some devices comprised in the connected health care system include a toothbrush, a connected surface with sensors, a salivary diagnostic system, a breath analysis system, and further devices that will be explored in the subsequent sections. The connected health care system further provides a user identification system utilizing capacitive coupling of the human body between devices.